Manuscript Cutting
ca. 1450 (illuminated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This illuminated initial O contains an image of Saint Francis showing the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ, that he received during a vision in which a seraph, a six-winged angel, appeared to him on a cross. According to the account by Brother Leo, he was praying on Mount Verna during a forty day fast in preparation for Michaelmas when he had the vision.
Medieval books had no contents page or index and so there was usually a hierarchy of initials marking important divisions in the text or music. The most important initials might be historiated with a figurative picture (istoire being the term for a story) or images of saints as seen here, while divisions of lesser importance had decorated initials.
The Master of the Budapest Antiphonary is named after a Franciscan manuscript in the National Library of Budapest (MS Clmae 462) which dates to around 1444-1450. This artist is sometimes confused with the Master of the Franciscan Breviary (named after MS 337 in Biblioteca Universitaria, Bologna), whose career and style overlap.
Medieval books had no contents page or index and so there was usually a hierarchy of initials marking important divisions in the text or music. The most important initials might be historiated with a figurative picture (istoire being the term for a story) or images of saints as seen here, while divisions of lesser importance had decorated initials.
The Master of the Budapest Antiphonary is named after a Franciscan manuscript in the National Library of Budapest (MS Clmae 462) which dates to around 1444-1450. This artist is sometimes confused with the Master of the Franciscan Breviary (named after MS 337 in Biblioteca Universitaria, Bologna), whose career and style overlap.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Water-based pigments and gold-leaf on parchment |
| Brief description | Historiated initial O from a choirbook, St. Francis displaying stigmata, attributed to the Master of the Franciscan Breviary; Italy; ca.1450. |
| Physical description | Cut-out historiated initial O from a choirbook. The initial is blue with mock Arabic lettering on a panel of burnished gold. Inside is St Francis displaying his stigmata surrounded by gold rays. In three of the four corners of the panel are floral decorations, in blue, red, pink and green. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | ST FRANCIS DISPLAYING THE STIGMATA
About 1450
St Francis received the stigmata (the five
wounds of Christ) during a vision in which
a seraph or six-winged angel appeared to
him on a cross. He was praying on Mount
Verna during a 40-day fast when he had
the vision.
Italy, Lombardy
Watercolour on parchment,
with gold
Museum no. 4925(2009) |
| Object history | From a portfolio bought by the Museum in 1866 from J. & W. Boone. Historical significance: In Italy, illuminated choirbooks and liturgical manuscripts contained the work of a large number of miniature painters. Choirbooks in particular were produced in sets of many volumes (often more than 30). From the early 19th century onwards such choirbooks provided an easy source of images that connoisseurs eagerly sought to add to their collections of paintings. Manuscripts could be cut up to make them more marketable and pleasing to the collector. Single leaves survive, but also initials, as here, cut to shape. |
| Historical context | Data taken from notes compiled by Rowan Watson. The full text of the entry is as follows: 'Cat. CHOIR BOOK; Italy, c. 1500. (4925,4928 [stolen 1984], 4918.2-9, 4921.2-4) Cat. no 353/2 4925 (MS 1167) CHOIR BOOK Cut-out historiated O (St Francis displaying stigmata mock-arabic lettering on letter-shape, attributed to the Master of Budapest Antiohoner) Italy. c. 1500 120 x 125 mm. From an album containing 4916-4928 bought for £15 from J & W Boone, 1866 Pub: 1908 cat, 93; 1923 cat, 86; Todini 1996, p.51 [Note from Anna Melograni re: 4925 (2/5/07):- Date: 1450 ca. Place: Lounbardy Attributed to the Master of the Franciscan Breviary by Filippo Todini in this catalogue 'Miniature: La Spezia, Murseo Cirico Amedo Lia,' Published 1996. The manuscript is reproduced on page 51.] |
| Production | Attributed to the Master of the Budapest Antiphonary by Levi d'Ancona in a manuscript note on the mount. Attributed to the Master of the Francisan Breviary by Filippo Todini in his catalogue 'Miniature: La Spezia, Museo Civico Amedo Lia'; published 1996. The manuscript is reproduced on page 51. Anna Melograni dates the cutting to ca 1450 and attribution place to Lombardy. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This illuminated initial O contains an image of Saint Francis showing the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ, that he received during a vision in which a seraph, a six-winged angel, appeared to him on a cross. According to the account by Brother Leo, he was praying on Mount Verna during a forty day fast in preparation for Michaelmas when he had the vision. Medieval books had no contents page or index and so there was usually a hierarchy of initials marking important divisions in the text or music. The most important initials might be historiated with a figurative picture (istoire being the term for a story) or images of saints as seen here, while divisions of lesser importance had decorated initials. The Master of the Budapest Antiphonary is named after a Franciscan manuscript in the National Library of Budapest (MS Clmae 462) which dates to around 1444-1450. This artist is sometimes confused with the Master of the Franciscan Breviary (named after MS 337 in Biblioteca Universitaria, Bologna), whose career and style overlap. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Other number | MS 1167 - Previous number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4925 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 4, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
